SEC Weekly Preview: Alabama-LSU, A&M-Auburn Showdowns

Photo Courtesy: Kyle Zedaker, LSU Athletics

By Dan D’Addona.

The new year brings a reset button on rivalries, especially in the SEC. There are plenty of contending teams out there and they will continue to square off as the season marches toward March.

Here is a look at what SEC meets are this week:

Alabama at LSU

The Alabama men have had a strong start to the season, but recently dropped form No. 4 to No. 9 in the men’s rankings. They are still at top 0 team and a formidable opponent, especially when facing No. 14 LSU. This SEC rivalry is one of the best and both teams will look to get a good start to the season on Jan. 7. The LSU women are ranked No. 25 and the Alabama women are No. 27, which should prove to be a close meet, too.

Texas A&M at Auburn

This will be the premier women’s meet of the week. The No. 7 Texas A&M Aggies travel to No. 14 Auburn for an SEC dual on Jan. 7. Both teams are contenders in the conference title hunt and will use this meet as an early-year gage. In the men’s meet, Auburn is ranked No. 12, while the Aggies are No. 22. This should also be a strong meet with plenty of fast individual races.

Arkansas at Georgia

On Jan. 5, the No. 2Georgia women look to continue their momentum from the first semester as they host Arkansas. The Bulldogs finished their annual home invite with a strong showing before winter break and the defending national champions proved they are still a national power.

Tennessee at South Carolina

On Jan. 7, the Volunteers will face the Gamecocks in an SEC meet that will be overshadowed by a few higher-profiled meets, but should be a good one. The Tennessee women are ranked No. 17 and should have the upper hand.

Tennessee Diving Invitational

Many of the best divers in the SEC will head to the Tennessee Diving Invitational on Jan. 3-5 in Knoxville. Alabama, Arkansas, Auburn, Georgia, Kentucky, LSU and Missouri are all scheduled to compete, making this one of the premier diving events of the season.

Orange Bowl Classic

Texas A&M is headed to Key Largo, Fla., for the annual Orange Bowl Classic. The meet will have several teams from across the country, including Michigan. The event is becoming more popular by the year and will look to be a fun event as teams finish their training trips.

Crossover dual meets

In addition to the SEC conference meets this week, several SEC schools will compete against non-conference opponents. On Jan. 6, Florida will face Florida Atlantic and Alabama will swim at Tulane. On Jan. 7, Arkansas will head north to face Illinois and Florida will face Miami. On Jan. 6-7 Kentucky will swim against Georgia Tech and Virginia Tech.

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